This is, and always has been, normal procedure.
The period of grace has been extended. It used to be 6 months. The JSP revision dated 2010 seems generously to have extended this considerably.
The "notice of eviction" is an emotive term for an essential instrument to justify immediate entitlement to civilian social housing and benefits in the location chosen by the bereaved family. They can now stay in MQs for two years or more if that is their choice, but when they wish to move they require the eviction notice. This can be, and frequently is, misinterpreted and misrepresented by those who do not understand the system and by those wishing to trash it and generate outrage. Bereaved families are not kicked out.